Kiera Jefferson
Pollution is a significant threat to many animal species, causing them to become endangered or even extinct. The main types of pollution that endanger animal species are marine pollution, air pollution, and soil consumption. Marine pollution, such as plastic pollution, oil spills, and chemical waste, is a critical issue, with over 600 tons of plastic and 500 tons of oil introduced into the oceans annually, devastating marine ecosystems and killing many animals. Plastic pollution has been declared more deadly to sea turtles than oil spills, and the Hawaiian monk seal is also suffering steep population decline due to plastic debris on its beaches. Pollution, along with deforestation, global warming, and nuclear war, are key contributors to the ongoing environmental crisis, threatening animal species with extinction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of animal species endangered by pollution | 47,000+ |
| Percentage of wildlife populations that have declined since 1970 | 73% |
| Main causes of endangerment | Plastic pollution, climate change, rising sea levels, overexploitation from hunting and poaching, soil consumption, deforestation, wildfires, oil pollution |
| Examples of endangered species | Hawaiian Monk seal, Hawksbill turtles, Spanish giant tortoise, Borneo pangolin, Vaquita, Alpine ibex, Orangutan, Yangtze Finless Porpoise, Polar bear, Mountain lions, Brown pelican |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is twofold: ingestion and entanglement. Marine animals, from seabirds to turtles, whales, dolphins, and fish, mistake plastic for food, leading to intestinal blockages, liver and cell damage, and disruptions to reproductive systems. For example, a wild elephant in India died due to internal bleeding and organ failure caused by ingesting plastic. Additionally, abandoned fishing gear and plastic debris entangle marine creatures, restricting their movement, causing injuries, and leading to drowning.
The scale of the problem is immense, with global plastic pollution soaring from two million tonnes in 1950 to 348 million tonnes in 2017, and it is projected to double by 2040. It is estimated that more than 100,000 marine mammals die due to plastic pollution each year, and the issue extends beyond marine life, impacting hundreds of species, including land-based mammals and birds.
To address this crisis, it is crucial to reduce plastic consumption, properly dispose of plastic waste, and transition to reusable and eco-friendly alternatives. By making conscious choices and supporting conservation efforts, we can help protect endangered species and preserve the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystems.
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Climate change
The impact of climate change on oceans is another critical concern. Rising ocean temperatures and acidification are degrading marine ecosystems and endangering species. For example, Southern Resident killer whales, which feed on Chinook salmon, accumulate high levels of toxic chemicals due to polluted prey. The increasing prevalence of pollutants affects the reproductive abilities of female whales, compromising their endocrine and immune systems.
Freshwater species are also at risk. The Columbia Spotted Frog, for instance, is experiencing a population decline due to decreasing water bodies in Yellowstone National Park. Warmer temperatures also affect the range of the Monarch Butterfly, causing a loss of vital food plants.
Furthermore, climate change interacts with other human activities to endanger species. For example, the Atlantic Cod has been impacted by overfishing, and recent ocean warming has further harmed their spawning and survival. The Asian Elephant faces threats from habitat loss, and climate change will likely accelerate their decline.
The complex interplay of climate change with factors like pollution, deforestation, and human conflict is endangering numerous species. Urgent action is required to mitigate these threats and prevent mass extinctions.
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Intensive hunting and fishing
Intensive and uncontrolled hunting and fishing have been a large and dangerous problem ever since humans began hunting for food and resources. Over-hunting and overfishing have led to the extinction of many well-known species, including the dodo, passenger pigeon, great auk, Tasmanian tiger, and Steller's sea cow. Other species, such as the bald eagle, grizzly bear, American bison, Eastern timber wolf, and sea turtle, have been poached to near-extinction.
One example of a species endangered by hunting and poaching is the Sunda pangolin, one of eight species of pangolin. Pangolins are secretive, elusive, and mostly nocturnal animals that live in the forest across Southeast Asia. Their population is threatened by overexploitation from hunting and poaching. Similarly, the forest elephant, found in the dense, humid forests of West and Central Africa, is critically endangered, with its population declining by over 80% in the last century due to frequent, widespread, and intensive poaching.
Fishing and accidental capture in fishing gear also endanger marine species. The hawksbill turtle, found in nearshore tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, is critically endangered, with its population declining by 80% in the last three generations due to accidental capture in fishing gear, among other threats. The southern bluefin tuna is another example of a species threatened by overfishing. In 2015, researchers in Australia successfully bred southern bluefin tuna in landlocked tanks, raising the possibility that fish farming could save the species from overfishing.
The Yangtze finless porpoise is another species affected by overfishing and water pollution in the Yangtze River. China has taken steps to protect this species by upgrading its conservation status to the highest level of protection available in the country and imposing a 10-year fishing ban along the river. As a result, the population of Yangtze finless porpoises has shown the first increase since records began, rising from 1,012 to 1,249 over five years.
In addition to overfishing, the illegal trade of animal products contributes to the endangerment of species. The illegal trade of hawksbill shells and products, for example, poses a threat to the already declining population of hawksbill turtles.
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Habitat loss
For example, the Amur leopard is a critically endangered big cat found in a small region of far-east Russia and north-eastern China. One of the primary threats to their survival is habitat loss and fragmentation, as human activities continue to encroach on their already limited range. Similarly, the Bornean orangutan, a critically endangered species, has lost 40% of its key habitat in Borneo between 1973 and 2010 due to deforestation and exploitation of timber resources.
The expansion of human activities can also lead to increased encounters between humans and wild animals. As their habitats shrink, species like polar bears, mountain lions, and alligators come into closer contact with human settlements, leading to potentially deadly interactions. Human-wildlife conflict can further contribute to the decline of these species, as people may resort to hunting or accidentally killing these animals.
Additionally, habitat loss can fragment populations, isolating them from others of their kind. This reduces genetic diversity within the species and can hinder their ability to adapt to changing environments, further increasing their vulnerability. Conservation efforts often focus on restoring and connecting habitats to mitigate these issues and provide wildlife with the space they need to survive.
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Oil pollution
Sea otters and seabirds are particularly vulnerable to oil spills, as they are often found on the sea surface or shorelines where oil accumulates. Oil can coat the fur or feathers of these animals, reducing their ability to maintain body temperature and leading to hypothermia. It can also cause skin and eye irritation, organ damage, impaired reproduction, and even death. During most oil spills, a large number of seabirds are harmed and killed. Sea otters are especially susceptible as their ability to stay warm depends on their fur remaining clean.
Other marine animals are also at risk. Oil can smother sea grass, robbing manatees of their food source and causing inflammation and infection when it gets into their eyes and sensory hairs. Sea turtles can ingest oil particles from vegetation or be directly exposed to oil, which can lead to health complications and reduced reproductive ability. Baleen whales can become incapacitated when oil clogs their filtering device, resulting in starvation and death. Oil spills can also impact the spawning and breeding habitats of fish like the Atlantic bluefin tuna, killing a significant percentage of their juvenile population.
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Frequently asked questions
The Hawaiian Monk Seal is an animal that is endangered due to pollution. Their population has been in steep decline since the 1980s, largely due to the over 12 tons of debris, mostly plastic, that is found on their pupping beaches.
Yes, the Hawksbill Turtle is another example of an animal that is endangered by pollution. Their population has dropped by 80% in the last 50 years due to overfishing and ocean pollution.
The Spanish Giant Tortoise was once at risk of extinction due to soil consumption and deforestation. However, their extinction has been avoided thanks to a captive breeding program.
Yes, intensive uncontrolled hunting and fishing have also led to the endangerment of many species.
Pollution can cause mutations and fertility problems in animals. Chemicals used by humans can enter the food chain and become stored in the fat of animals' bodies, leading to their death.
